This may be a bit long. We board our horses. They are fully vaccinated. A new group of horses came to the barn. They were put in the most separate corral possible but still about 50 feet from the pasture where our two horses live. Sure enough after a couple of days the new horses started coughing like seals. One of our horses got a fever of 105, goopy nose and low in spirits. The vet did a CBC. Said for sure it is a virus and there is nothing we can do but let it run it's course. The also did a culture on one of the new horses and said it is a virus. We have been giving our horse bute and watching him. He is eating well and even gallops up to the gate when we bring his supplements. It has been 6 days and his temp today was 100.8. Yay! The vet said it could last weeks. My main question is how will we know when it is okay to ride him again and how will we know when he is no longer a threat to take around other horses. We were able to put our horses in a smaller pasture but farther away from the new horses. Probably wasn't useful at this point. We had planned, (as in already scheduled valuable time off work) to do a 12 mile trail ride in a couple weeks. Our horses are in pretty good condition since we ride all winter. Do you think there is any chance that could still happen?

smrobs

06-03-2009 11:05 PM

As long as he is no longer coughing, I would imagine that he would be fine for the trail ride. The only thing that I can think of is that his stamina may be a little low due to the respiratory infection. The best way to know is just to ask your vet. If I understand viruses correctly, if there is no fever, then it is no longer contagious. If he is back to normal now, I would suggest starting with some very light trail riding (walk with some slow jog periodically) and just keep a close eye on how he acts. If he starts to wear down or starts coughing, then stop the ride immediately and give him a couple more days. He should be fine for the ride so long as it is more leisurely and not competative.

Ryle

06-03-2009 11:06 PM

What virus did the vet find? Influenza means that your horse will need more time off and a longer quarantine that EHV. Either can cause illness for 2-3 weeks.

I really just wound't plan on going on the ride. Even if your horse's appear recovered, their immune system's are still going to be stressed and that means it's more likely that they could get sick again. Plus they could be still shedding virus depending on what they have and it just seems rude to take a horse that you know might make others sick on a trail ride. I mean we would get mad if someone else made that choice and got ours sick.

7Ponies

06-03-2009 11:10 PM

Best thing is to talk with your vet. They can tell you specifically if the horse is still contagious, or physically able to go on the trail ride.

Ryle

06-03-2009 11:23 PM

Going back to work immediately isn't a good idea. In fact, horses diagnosed with Influenza should have 1 week of complete rest for each day of elevated body temperature. This is because the way the virus attacks the body makes them more at risk for secondary and very serious respiratory infections.

Just because a horse is no longer showing signs or doesn't show outwards signs doesn't mean that they aren't sick. You can have infections without them being severe enough to make an animal outwardly ill. But these horses can still make others sick.

Lack of fever also doesn't mean that a horse is not still contageous. They can continue to shed the virus for 7-10 days after symptoms disappear.

Juniper

06-03-2009 11:35 PM

Okay, I will call the vet tomorrow. I hate bugging them when I know how busy they are but I guess in this instance I really need to ask them. Ryle, I was kind of afraid that would be the answer. Probably not a good idea to go. I will also ask the B/O what the specific result of the culture was. Not sure he knows, just said it was a virus the vet told him. but I can investigate further. Mostly the question was whether there was any treatment like antibiotics and we got that answered with the negative. Trying not to be disappointed. I know there could be so many worse things to happen.

Juniper

06-03-2009 11:46 PM

Thanks for the specifics. I certainly do not want to risk getting any other horses sick. Or, of course, stressing our horse. Our other horse, although he did not get a fever or show any symptoms should be considered contagious as well for the same time period I suppose. But if he seems healthy I can probably ride him there at the barn, right? Or do you think he for sure has the same virus and I could be putting him at risk if I ride him. The second horse has not coughed or had any nose discharge. Funny how it hit one horse so hard and not the other at all.

Ryle

06-04-2009 12:20 AM

If your other horse doesn't have any symptoms he may not be "sick" but he may still be shedding the virus. You are going to have to make the call about riding around the barn. He may or may not be contageous.

Juniper

06-04-2009 12:32 AM

All the horses at the barn have been exposed. But good to know he can shed the virus even with no symptoms, so much for all the places I was going to take him. Guess I will save gas $$ though. Trying to look on the bright side.

Ryle

06-04-2009 12:37 AM

I know, it really bites to have to cancel plans. Sorry.

But yeah, you can save gas money and maybe buy that neat piece of bling you were wanting ;)